The Cloisters at Westminster Abbey

Eight hundred years of stonework, jewel-toned stained glass, and open sky — The Cloisters at Westminster Abbey offer one of the most atmospheric event settings anywhere in London. This 13th-century open-air arcade adjoins the nave of the Abbey itself, with elegant Gothic arches framing views over the garth, the quiet grass quadrangle at its centre. For corporate entertaining, milestone celebrations, or any occasion where setting alone needs to do the heavy lifting, the Cloisters deliver something that no purpose-built venue can approximate.

Events in Westminster Abbey’s Cloisters

The East Cloister accommodates up to 200 for a drinks reception on its own. Combine the East and North Cloisters and that figure rises to 400 standing, with seated dinners for up to 160 across long tables arranged beneath the open arcade. The format suits formal corporate dinners, prestige hospitality, and summer receptions where the open-air setting adds an element of theatre that enclosed spaces simply don’t have. Because the Cloisters are open to the sky, they work best during warmer months — roughly May through September, depending on how bold your planning is. There’s no roof to fall back on, which makes this a genuinely seasonal space. That constraint is also what makes it special: guests are dining or networking within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, under the same arches where Benedictine monks walked for centuries.

Westminster Abbey’s Private Tour Experience

One of the most compelling additions to any Cloisters event is a private out-of-hours Abbey tour. Guests get exclusive access to the nave, Poets’ Corner, the Coronation Chair, and areas not open to general visitors — including the Tomb of Edward the Confessor. The Abbey’s own guides lead these tours, and the experience transforms a corporate dinner into something guests genuinely talk about afterwards. For international delegations or VIP hospitality, the recognition factor is immediate and universal.

How The Cloisters Work as a Hire

Westminster Abbey operates on a dry hire model with accredited suppliers only. Rhubarb Hospitality Collection is the approved caterer, and the venue provides an on-site events manager, in-house security, cleaning, and an electrician as part of the hire. A PA system with music speakers is included. The alcohol licence runs until 23:00, with extensions available. The Cloisters sit within the wider Abbey precinct, which means they can be combined with College Garden for larger events or paired with the Cellarium — a 14th-century undercroft — for a multi-space programme that moves guests between dramatically different settings. St James’s Park station is a two-minute walk.

The Right Event for The Cloisters

This isn’t a space for casual hires. The Cloisters suit events where the venue is the centrepiece — prestige client entertaining, landmark corporate anniversaries, charity galas, or once-in-a-career celebrations. The 400-person standing capacity is substantial, but the real draw is the setting. Few venues in London, or anywhere, can place guests within a working UNESCO World Heritage Site for an evening. That’s the proposition: genuine history, not themed approximation.